Hand painting means to apply the dye by hand rather than submerge the yarn in a dye bath. Dyeing by hand is less predictable and is nearly impossible to replicate than other types of dyeing. Submerging yarn (or fabric) in a large dyepot or vat can be reproduced as the dye penetrates the fibers in a more uniform manner.

The fixative for setting this dye is acid i.e. white vinegar. I just followed the instructions for the ratio of vinegar to water: Three tablespoons of vinegar to dissolve the dye pellets to 1/2 cup water. I used 2-3 dye pellets per 1/2 cup water to get more intense colors.

After the yarn was saturated with color, I wrapped the yarn in plastic wrap and nuked it 2-3 minutes at a time and allowing it to cool between so as not to scorch or burn the yarn. Once it came out of the microwave sizzling, I let it cool before rinsing it in warm to then cool water till it ran clear. It turned out beautifully.

Back into the dye pot, or rather the dye plastic wrap/microwave. One of these days I will find a large enough pot that I can dedicate to dyeing. That day hasn’t arrived yet.

This time I used blue, purple and red dye pellets. I think I went overboard with the red though I only used one tablet mixed with a blue one and a purple one. I mixed up three different iterations of the dyes and squirted them using one bottle without washing it in between colors.

I like this much better for socks. The red isn’t as intense as it looks here.

I can still see variations of the original teals and blues.

Another dip in just blue would probably tone down the reddish purple but at this point, I am done experimenting with the yarn.

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You remember the 1898 knitted cap I made for Mr. Aitch with overdyed yarn? Well, it needed some fingerless gloves for company.

I didn’t have enough yarn leftover and I knew I’d never get the same color to match. That’s why it’s important to get enough of the same dye lot when knitting (or crocheting) any yarny project. So I overdyed another skein of yarn but starting out with a totally different color.

Using the same brand of yarn and the same food dye colors, I wanted to get something that would coordinate with the original overdye.

I added some leftover Rit dye, a mixture of blue and black, from another project. The blue and green food coloring just wasn’t covering that bright coral color.

Close enough for a contrast but still in the same family.

Original overdye

The new overdye

The fingerless glove pattern is the Don’t skid, honey! by Justyna Lorkowska. The zigzags reminded me of smoke and Mr. Aitch needed a new pair to keep his hands warm when he smokes a cigar (in the garage in the winter).

You can see the two colors on the palm.

Both together.

We’ve had some bitter cold temperature here lately and Mr. Aitch has worn the gloves inside to keep his hands warm while at the computer.

I started with this yarn: Cleckheaton Country 8-ply 100% washable wool in a very beautiful purple color. But not for a man or at least not the men I know and would knit for.

Enter food coloring, vinegar, squirt bottles and a microwave.

I decided to dye all three of the full skeins that I had because I didn’t think I would use the yarn as it was. And because I wanted to.

I used basically the same process as I did here. You can do an internet search for other methods. After soaking the yarn in a vinegar bath for about 30 minutes, I alternated squirting the dye between shades of blue, shades of green, and a mixture of both. (Sorry no pictures of the process.) I didn’t want a solid color so I squirted some parts with just the green, some with the blue, and some with a combo of both.

Once completely saturated the yarn was wrapped in plastic, placed in a glass casserole dish and nuked for two minutes, rested for two minutes and so on for about four sessions total.

The yarn was rinsed after it cooled until the water ran clear and colorless.

Here it is after it dried. This reminds me of the ocean…blues, greens and a bit of the purple shows through.